fbpx
Indoor Kids Activities Near Ann Arbor - Girl sitting among foam blocks

Unleash the Fun: Indoor Activities for Kids Near Ann Arbor

Are you looking for indoor fun for kids near Ann Arbor? We’ve got you covered whether it is a rainy day, cold wintry day, or super hot summer day. These indoor children’s activities near us are also great for the smoky days with the Canadian wildfires this week.

Our events calendar includes all of the great indoor events near Ann Arbor. Addtitonally, there are plenty of Indoor Family Activities near Ann Arbor that you can enjoy anytime.

Ann Arbor Indoor Activities

Did we miss some of your favorite Ann Arbor Indoor Activities? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be sure to add them to the summary.

Indoor Play Locations

During the long winter months and increasingly hot summers, it is always a great idea to have a plan for indoor play where the kids can still get their energy out.

Epic Indoor Play Near Ann Arbor: Bounce, Climb, Imagine & More

There are plenty of fun indoor play spaces near Ann Arbor where kids can jump, climb, run, and explore. Perfect for when the Michigan weather takes a turn – sub-zero temperatures in winter, rainy days, sweltering summer days, or poor air quality days from distant wildfires. From sensory-friendly gyms to trampoline parks and play cafés, […]


Events from our Sponsors


Visit a Museum

Visiting a museum is great indoor fun for family near Ann Arbor. There are so many options to choose from. I love that there are also several we can visit for free. The preschool room at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a great place for preschoolers to play indoors!

Our Top 5 Ann Arbor Area Museums for Kids

Museums are a great choice year round. They are a great option for rainy summer days (or really hot days when the air conditioning is a welcome relief). They are also a great option for freezing cold winter days. There are a number of great museums in and around Ann Arbor that are a great […]

We have lots of great museum options in the Ann Arbor Area. Just be careful if it’s Monday. Several of the museums are closed that day.

Indoor Sports

Are you looking for indoor activities near you for teens? Indoor sports are great for teens – and kids of all ages. Check out bowling alleys, fowling, swimming, and skating.

Bowling

Bowling is always a great indoor activity year round. There are several bowling options in the Ann Arbor area.

Score a Strike Bowling at Ann Arbor’s 7 Best Alleys

Get in the fast lane to fun at these Bowling Alleys in Ann Arbor area. Bowling is a great family activity that can appeal to a wide range of ages. With bowling ramps and bumpers, even preschoolers can have fun bowling. Bowling is a great option for cold winter days, hot summer days, or rainy days year round. While […]

Ice Skating

There are several indoor ice rinks in the Ann Arbor area plus the Buhr Park rink which is outdoor but covered. Several operate year round, others are only open in the colder months. Check out our Ice Skating Guide for more details.

Skate Your Heart Out: Unmissable Ice Skating Near Ann Arbor

There are several Ice Skating Rinks Near Ann Arbor. These both indoor ice rinks available year round, seasonally, and outdoor skating rinks open in winter.  As a child my favorite part of winter was ice skating. When I lived in Illinois, our neighborhood park offered outdoor ice skating. My school bus took me by the park on […]

Swimming

You can swim all year with indoor pools. Check out our Indoor Swimming Guide.

Swim Year Round at These Indoor Pools Near Ann Arbor

My daughter has always loved swimming – no wonder she is on her high school team. When she was younger, I found that swimming periodically would help her maintain her swimming skills. Now that her high school season is over, she is looking for where she can go to practice until next year. Fortunately there are […]

Other Sports

Gaming Fun

Growing up in the 80s, the arcade was always a hit indoor activity for teens near us. Here in Ann Arbor, we have our own Retro arcade in Pinball Pete’s.

Game On Time! 7 Best Family Fun Arcades Near Ann Arbor

Introduce the kids to retro fun at the 7 best arcades in Ann Arbor to take your kids? Whether you’re planning a fun outing with elementary schoolers or teens, there are a number of arcades to choose from. From retro pinball machines to state-of-the-art arcade games, these spots offer something for every gamer in the […]

Just down the road is the UM Video Game Archive. There you can check out a game on the latest system, or a wide variety of classic systems.

Or, go less tech heavy and check out one of the escape rooms in the area!

Joining the Aurora Society at Decode Ypsilanti

This weekend we visited Decode Ypsilanti for their Aurora Society escape room. Decode has been voted a top 10 escape room in the USA by the readers of USA Today....

Travel Around the World in 80 Days at Decode Ann Arbor

Over Thanksgiving Weekend we visited Decode Detroit's Ann Arbor location to travel Around the World in 80 Days. Decode Detroit has been voted a top 10 escape room in the...

Or check out one of the other escape room locations

Movies

Movies are always a great indoor activity. During summer, there are a number of morning kids series which are perfect for a rainy day.

Now Playing

Wicked: For Good opens this weekend. Also opening is Rental Family. Zootopia 2 opens on Wednesday in time for Thanksgiving.

  • Wicked: For Good – PG
  • Rental Family -PG-13
  • Now You See Me: Now You Don’t – PG-13
  • Predator: Badlands – PG-13
  • Regretting You – PG-13
  • Sarah’s Oil – PG
  • Nuremberg – PG-13

Lights, Camera, Action: The Best Movie Theaters in Ann Arbor

There are several movie theaters near Ann Arbor that make for a fun outing year round. Seeing a movie is great for families, a date night (or afternoon), or teens with their friends. Check out all these cinemas near us. Best Movie Theaters in Ann Arbor Area Michigan Theater and State Theater are independent, non-profit […]

Where to Watch Christmas Movies in Ann Arbor

There are a number of places to see Christmas Movies in Ann Arbor throughout the holiday season. What is your favorite Holiday Movie? I love Miracle on 34th Street. My husband’s favorite is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – he puts it on every year while wrapping presents. When she was younger, my daughter really enjoyed Home Alone. […]

Upcoming Movies

Check out the list of movies coming soon for kids, teens, and families.

  • November 26 – Zootopia 2 – PG
  • December 19 – Avatar: Fire and Ash – PG-13
  • December 19 – The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants

Nature Indoors

You can still experience nature indoors.

Check out Matthaei Botanical Gardens – note the linked review covers both the indoor conservatory and outdoor children’s garden.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens – Wednesday Activity Review

This review of Matthaei Botanical Gardens is part of our Summer Series: Wednesday Activity Reviews. While visiting this weekend, my mother-in law suggested visiting the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. My daughter had just been on a Girl Scout field trip which she loved. She loved her field trip and couldn’t wait to show us everything that […]

Spend a couple hours with the Cats at Tiny Lions Cat Cafe.

Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center

Ann Arbor’s cat café, the Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center (or “TLC” for short!) is an offshoot of the Humane Society of Huron Valley—a place where kids young and old can visit with kittens and cats in a comfy space. While all the felines there are available for adoption, there are no strings attached!

Indoor Events for Today

Date/TimeEvent
💙🆓🎟
November 24, 2025
9:00am-10:30am
Free Fun Day with Kidokinetics
at Hide and Seek Play Boutique, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
November 24, 2025
10:30am-11:30am
Baby Playgroup
at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
November 24, 2025
10:30am-11:00am
Preschool Storytimes
at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
November 24, 2025
1:00pm-2:30pm
Open Skate
at Veterans Ice Arena, Ann Arbor MI
🆓🎟
November 24, 2025
3:00pm-4:00pm
Beat Production
at Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓🎟
November 24, 2025
3:30pm-4:30pm
Free Fun Day with Kidokinetics
at Hide and Seek Play Boutique, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓🎟
November 24, 2025
4:00pm-6:00pm
Visual Arts Council
at Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
November 24, 2025
4:30pm-5:30pm
Make Your Own Craft Bag for Thanksgiving Break
at Dexter District Library, Dexter Michigan
💙🆓
November 24, 2025
5:00pm-6:00pm
An Evening with The Creature Conservancy
at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
November 24, 2025
6:00pm-7:30pm
Famous Painting Embroidery
at Westgate Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
November 24, 2025
6:00pm-7:30pm
Sewing Lab: Sewing With Knits with Rae Hoekstra
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
November 24, 2025
7:00pm
AAPS ACappellapalooza
at Skyline High School, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
November 24, 2025
7:00pm-8:15pm
Teen & Adult Banned Book Club
at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior, Ypsilanti Michigan

Indoor Events for Tomorrow

Date/TimeEvent
🆓
November 25, 2025
10:30am-11:15am
Babytime
at Chelsea District Library, Chelsea Michigan
🆓
November 25, 2025
11:00am-12:00pm
Baby Playgroup
at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
November 25, 2025
11:00am-11:30am
Preschool Storytimes
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
November 25, 2025
11:00am-11:30am
Preschool Storytimes
at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
🎟
November 25, 2025
12:15pm-1:15pm
Kids Play Time
at Michigan Academy of Gymnastics, Ann Arbor Michigan
November 25, 2025
1:00pm-2:30pm
Open Skate
at Veterans Ice Arena, Ann Arbor MI
🆓
November 25, 2025
3:30pm-5:00pm
Chess ClinicsThe Rookery Chess Club with Chase
at Chelsea District Library, Chelsea Michigan
🆓🎟
November 25, 2025
4:00pm-6:00pm
Future Corps HS
at Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓🎟
November 25, 2025
4:00pm-6:00pm
Podcasting - That's What You Missed
at Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓🎟
November 25, 2025
4:30pm-5:30pm
Teen “Bring Your Own Book” Club
at Dexter District Library, Dexter Michigan
💙🆓
November 25, 2025
5:00pm-6:00pm
After School STEM
at Ypsilanti District Library – Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti Michigan
💙🆓
November 25, 2025
5:00pm-7:00pm
Board Game Night
at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓🎟
November 25, 2025
5:00pm
Christmas Tales with Santa & Mrs Claus
at Cabela’s, Dundee Michigan
💙🎟
November 25, 2025
6:00pm-9:00pm
Farm-to-Table Community Dinner
at Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ale & Kitchen, Dexter Michigan
💙🆓
November 25, 2025
7:00pm-7:30pm
Folktales from Around the World
at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
Scroll to Top